All You Need by Lorelei James

Author:Lorelei James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2017-04-04T07:00:00+00:00

Wednesday night Annika and I met for a cocktail, since she had to work late.

I wasn’t sure if Peter had chosen the venue or if she had, but this was one of the trendier places in the Twin Cities. Annika fit the surroundings with her sexy, yet business casual attire and the fact that she turned every damn head when she sauntered in.

Two guys in particular needed their heads snapped off their necks for leering at her tits as if there’d be a test later on her bra cup size.

Annika smoothed her hand across my chest. “Stand down, Thor.”

“Thor?”

“Now that I know there is no Santa connection, linking ‘The Hammer’ and Thor was next.” She paused. “Dude, you had to see that one coming.”

“I’d expected something less obvious from my clever girl.” I directed her to the two stools at the far end of the bar by the windows.

“It is an obvious comparison when you are a supersized version of the actor who plays him.” She tilted her head back, and her gaze roamed my face. “Say something sexy with an Aussie accent.”

I kissed her nose. “No.”

“For future reference, I hate being kissed on the nose.”

“For future reference, I hate being called Thor.”

“Then it looks like you’re stuck with Ax-hell, Ax-hole and asshat,” she retorted.

“You’re in a mood.” I handed her the drink menu.

“It’s been a weird day.”

“How so?”

“I’ll tell you in a minute. Do you already know what you’re having?”

“Club soda and lime.”

Annika reached over and touched my hand. “Shoot. We should’ve had a dinner date. You’re always hungry, aren’t you?”

Her concern—genuine, not adopted—affected me in the same way it had when she made me sandwiches. I’d never let a woman fuss over me, because it’d always felt contrived. But with Annika, her need to nurture and soothe was an innate part of her, albeit a part she only shared with the people closest to her. Somehow I’d landed on that very short list and fuck if I didn’t want to stay there.

Screw the “this isn’t a real relationship” bullshit conversation we’d been back and forth with.

I wanted it to be real.

She wanted it to be real.

One of us needed to have the balls to act on it and make it real.

Since I had a pair, it was time to use them.

“Axl?”

I mentally shook off the fog and looked at her. “Sorry. You worked until fifteen minutes ago. Have you eaten?”

She stammered, “I . . . uh . . . meant to . . .”

The bartender wandered over. “What can I get for you?”

“A food menu, please. A club soda with lime and a Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat.”

“You got it.”

“Axl. I’m fine.”

I curled my right hand around the side of her neck, tipped up that stubborn chin, guaranteeing I had her attention. “Who takes care of Annika when she’s so busy taking care of everyone else?”

“I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” she retorted.

“But what if I want to?” My thumb caressed the vulnerable spot beneath her jawline. “You saw to my needs the other night.

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